Article: Is Belgium's beer really better than the U.S.?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by SerialTicker, Mar 16, 2015.

?

Which country has the best beer?

  1. Belgium

    80 vote(s)
    19.8%
  2. United States

    283 vote(s)
    69.9%
  3. United Kingdom

    15 vote(s)
    3.7%
  4. Germany

    14 vote(s)
    3.5%
  5. Denmark

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  6. Japan

    2 vote(s)
    0.5%
  7. Canada

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  8. Netherlands

    1 vote(s)
    0.2%
  9. Norway

    1 vote(s)
    0.2%
  10. Other (Post)

    9 vote(s)
    2.2%
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  1. SerialTicker

    SerialTicker Pooh-Bah (2,851) Jun 18, 2012 Missouri
    Pooh-Bah

    13 Best Countries for Beer - Yahoo!

    I haven't been to Belgium and I haven't had *too* many beers FROM Belgium, but I've always been under the impression that the variety of beers over there isn't anything quite like what's here... so if that's true, I'd have to put the U.S. over it for the simple fact that there's more variety.

    I expect U.S. to run away with the votes... if not because of bias, but because, well... we can have a beer flavored with BBQ seasoning all the way up to an imperial stout with bacon. Maybe it's just my ignorance, but I just figured Belgium was very traditional.
     
    tylerstravis likes this.
  2. tylerstravis

    tylerstravis Pooh-Bah (2,487) Feb 14, 2014 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah

    Belgium makes the best Belgian beers!
     
    bushycook, WRW1978, cjgiant and 31 others like this.
  3. AlpacaAlpaca

    AlpacaAlpaca Maven (1,384) Apr 2, 2014 New York
    Trader

    Belgium is the best in its category, but the US excels at many different styles
     
    cjgiant, Mark_Eck, blassor and 13 others like this.
  4. JFMBearcat

    JFMBearcat Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2014 Ohio

    Unfortunately I don't think there are boatloads of people who have drank Belgium beer fresh from the source (not imports), as well as all the top USA beers to have an accurate poll.

    I surely have not, that's for sure.
     
  5. TheeWalrusHunter

    TheeWalrusHunter Initiate (0) Aug 23, 2013 Oregon

    Thanks for qualifying your statement so I know not take what you say seriously.

    Can someone who has lived in Belgium and the US please have an opinion so I can listen to it?
     
  6. HoppySeb

    HoppySeb Initiate (0) Jan 21, 2014 Washington

    I believe (although I wasn't drinking beer back then) that once upon a time, long ago - the answer was undeniably yes. Not only Belgium but other countries like Germany, too. Today, after the craft boom and the uprising of hundreds of extremely creative and talented brewers in the states - the answer isnt as simple. I think a lot has to do with our own palates and what tastes and flavors we're more accustomed to. Id rather drink IPAs on a regular basis than lambics or tripels. Most times when i want something richer i go for american stouts rather than quads - so to me, the US has some of the best beer in the world and is perhaps #1. Others who enjoy sours, tripels, quads and generally the belgian yeast signature in their beer may think differently. I have a friend who's a lager lover and his beer-vana is Germany. To each their own i guess, so just enjoy them all!
     
  7. moshea

    moshea Initiate (0) Jul 16, 2007 Michigan

    The purpose of that article is not to rank countries, but rather to generate clicks and sell advertisements.
     
  8. SerialTicker

    SerialTicker Pooh-Bah (2,851) Jun 18, 2012 Missouri
    Pooh-Bah

    This is the purpose of virtually every article on the internet.
     
  9. moshea

    moshea Initiate (0) Jul 16, 2007 Michigan

    True, but some articles actaully have useful information.

    That is not a Yahoo article, it is a Thirllsit article. They publish rubbish list after rubbish list. They are merely a click bait site

    http://www.*blocked*/


    Edit: See, I tried to enter a link to them and the bros have them blocked. Do not put too much thought into any thrillist article
     
  10. tjensen3618

    tjensen3618 Maven (1,391) Mar 23, 2008 California

    I would say the best country for beer is the country that you're in.
    Drinking fresh changes everything.
     
  11. msscott1973

    msscott1973 Pooh-Bah (1,739) Dec 28, 2013 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    I am amusing myself by reading your post in Sheldon Cooper's voice.
     
  12. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    I don't know. define "best".
    this is an open ended question that can make the typical BA walk around in circles scratching their head.

    the answer is "depends".
    Cheers.
     
    5thOhio and gopens44 like this.
  13. markextrae

    markextrae Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2013 Netherlands

    Hard to say... But i chose united states. I love sours, saisons, barley wine and stouts.
    Only the sours are a lot better in belgium. The rest is Way better in the states. I can't find my joy for a good stout without trading.
     
    MikeReserva likes this.
  14. ElChuques

    ElChuques Initiate (0) Oct 8, 2014 Arkansas

    How do you quantify something so subjective? If maple tequila barrel aged quadruple dry hopped pale stout is your thing, then the U.S. makes the best beer for you. If you want authentic gueuze, then Belgium will take your top spot.

    If we just asked everyone to vote, the U.S. would win based on ABi products.

    Drink what you like.
     
    Hoppsbabo, breadwinner and Hoppruined like this.
  15. Hoppruined

    Hoppruined Initiate (0) Feb 11, 2015 Canada (ON)

    I have had the dutch, Belgium and Denmark beers fresh from the source. There is a slight difference from the imported types purchased here probably due to the journey. In my opinion Canada and the US produce wonderful, high quality craft brews. The best beer/ale? Its the one you like.
     
    Pisthetaerus, mtvolkens and ElChuques like this.
  16. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,647) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    If you are on a Belgian beer kick, then yes it is the best.

    If you like lagers at lot, then it is Germany.

    If Real Ale is your thing, then it is the UK.

    If you like all of the above and hoppy IPAs, RIS, BBA anything then you say the USA has the best

    For a disclaimer, I have lived in Germany and traveled often to Belgium and the UK. Most of the US beer centers have been ticked off.
     
  17. barrybeerdog

    barrybeerdog Pundit (941) Aug 17, 2012 South Dakota

    You make it sound like tradition is a bad thing....Tradition from the "old world" is what the majority of USA beers are based on...Put me down for: 1 vote: TRADITION
     
    Sanderson likes this.
  18. PorterPro125

    PorterPro125 Pooh-Bah (1,700) Jan 19, 2013 Canada (NB)

    Based on a quality:quantity ratio, the United States definitely offers great quality in a seemingly endless number of beers. That being said, Belgium makes the highest quality beer in my opinion, although they definitely don't have the production numbers to match the US. One vote for Belgium here.
     
  19. Dreizhen

    Dreizhen Initiate (0) Jun 6, 2013 District of Columbia

    As others have said and as I have said in previous threads, Belgium is the best at Belgian beers but the US is damn close and has a plethora of other styles. I have lived in both countries so I think my bias is a little less than most Americans. Nothing quite beats a Cantillon St. Lamvinus in my opinion, but once you get away from those great styles native to Belgium, your selection plummets. Additionally, the whole lack of an ancient beer tradition in the US allows for my experimentation and innovation. Belgium has some of this (looking at you, Brussels Beer Project), but the US is without a doubt the world leader here. I'm not saying new and flashy is always better, but the amount of innovation going on Stateside ultimately produces some incredible brews while the duds quickly fade into memory.
     
    mtvolkens and LeRose like this.
  20. zid

    zid Grand Pooh-Bah (3,132) Feb 15, 2010 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    For starters, there is no number 1.
    Second, Belgian beer in Belgium is amazing.
    Third, the thinking that Belgians are only better at "sours" can only come from someone with a narrow focus.
    Fourth, there is variety in Belgium (if that matters). They make English and American styles and lagers in addition to all the variety normally associated with them.
     
    bushycook, BWM-77, crob3888 and 2 others like this.
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